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I split time between The Cincinnati Ohio area & near the Cape/Space Coast of Flordia.... when not out ... "travel'n"

Posts

375

Pacific Northwest Ferry travel... routes/access; points of interest

Not being familiar with the "network" of ferry travel to Vancouver Island & Victoria, I am looking for your opinion on nice options.
Have only been across Whidbey Isle to Port Townsend myself. Would like to include Victoria & Vancouver BC on a pass through the
week after Salem. Would consider & not opposed to any idea you may offer, thanks.

"travel'in" John .... won't be there for a long time, just'a good time

Ride the Washington Coast

In July I would recommend riding up the Oregon and Washington coast on Hwy 101 to Port Angeles and take the ferry to Victoria from there. The sites along the coast are amazing from Cannon Beach Oregon to the Hoh rain forest in Washington.

+1 to bigdibbs. Though if one is pressed for time the ride up Hood Canal might save a bit of time, and the road is a bit more interesting. The Coho ferry to Victoria is great, and for a bit of variety one could always return through the San Juan Islands or the BC Ferry to Tswassen. Just don't forget you need a passport (or enhanced ID) to visit Canada...

I'm on Bainbridge Island, WA

We have a local distillery and brewery, wine makers too if that's up your alley. Some great eats and a couple local museums that are worth a visit if you're into that. Touratech and Ride West BMW are just across the Puget Sound and ALL the tourist stuff is between them. Just north is the Boeing factory tour.

The ride from Anacortes through the San Juans Vancouver Island is spectacular, with two sailings daily in the summer months. I like the idea of going up the canal and then heading east to Port Angeles, but here's another idea. Ride up the canal and go to PT. Take the boat across to Whidbey, ride north across the Deception Pass Bridge (but get off the bike first and take a look), Then take the WSF from Anacortes to Sidney. Save yourself some time and Victoria traffic hassle by taking the open air ferry at Brentwood Bay. Rejoin HWY 1 and head north. South of Nanaimo, take a detour to the Crow & Gate Pub. If you like air museums, stop in at Canadian Forces Base, Comox. There's an air museum in Sydney that's also worth a stop if you have the time. Take the boat from Comox across to Powell River. From there it's some nice riding and incredible scenery on two ferry runs in getting south to West Vancouver.

Rkoreis is right, if you take the ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria, ride up island to Comox and take the ferry across to Powell River. Ride south down the Sunshine Coast (and another ferry) and then take the 45 minute ferry from Gibsons to Horseshoe Bay/Vancouver.

Seeing as you're up here, you may as well ride one of the best motorcycle roads in BC - Earls Cove to Sechelt.

Passports:(

Do not forget yours. Even Canada now requires one, USA coming back. The ferries check'em and bikers get first on, first off service on all ferries NW. Tie downs ARE provided if weather gets bumpy at sea, but most days not so. Even then, I tie my bike down. Bring your own if worried. Simple rope works fine if you know your knots. Some of the ferries run 2+ hours, so the crossings are lengthy, not all. Randy

Also-Butchart Gardens in B.C. are a not to miss treat if your into green thumb stuff. If the "big trip" is a thought-take AK Marine Hwy Ferry... I may make the run from E.KY to OR this summer-I'm E of Lexington.

"If I had my life to live over, I'd dare to make more mistakes next time...I'd relax,I'd limber up... I would take fewer things seriously...take more chances... take more trips...climb more mountains...swim more rivers...eat more ice cream." Jorge Luis Borges at age 85.

HIKE too!

The HRNP outside of Port Angeles is very cool place, but don't bother if its not clear. He's right. I did it a few years back on a clear day and hiked the remainder to the top of ridge, from parking area. ITS A STRAIGHT UP hike, takes a toll on ya, but it not too far and the view is amazing, seeing Victoria BC very clearly from up there. Bears too like the hikers, so beware. Rangers hike the trail frequently for this purpose. An absolute must see if weather permits. High Tea is served daily at the Empress Hotel on the bayfront VictoriaBC. Used to anyways. So go there, have your crumpets and tea toddle with your riding pals. Also, The "TOTEM of KNOWLEDGE" rises on the same waterfront(very closeby) and worthy of seeing. Make ya a better rider....Randy